MLB honors Latin Legends

HOUSTON - Juan Marichal and Rod Carew vividly remember the discrimination Latino ballplayers used to face on and off the field.

Alex Rodriguez, Pedro Martinez and Ivan Rodriguez have heard the stories and can only imagine what it was like now that Latinos make up nearly 25 percent of all big league rosters.

So when the modern players see their Hall of Fame predecessors, they thank them.

"Oh yes, many times," Marichal said.

"It means a lot," added Carew. "Hopefully they're paving the way for a lot of other young people coming up."

The generations of Latino greats spent some quality time together Wednesday at the World Series. Twelve players and seven countries were honored on the field before Game 4 as part of a Major League Baseball promotion that chose an all-time team of Latino players.

Marichal, Carew, both Rodriguezes and Martinez were among those introduced in a ceremony led by actor Edward James Olmos. Others taking part were Edgar Martinez, Fernando Valenzuela and two sons of the late Roberto Clemente, Luis and Roberto Jr. Marichal then threw out the ceremonial first pitch to Pudge, of course using his trademark high leg kick.

"The great players of yesterday have blazed a trail," Olmos said, noting that there were more than 200 players from Latin America on opening day rosters. "Baseball was born in the United States and thrives here, but ... its beat in Latin America is strong - fuerte - and growing stronger," Olmos said.

Other players chosen to the Latino Legends team included Albert Pujols, Manny Ramirez, Vladimir Guerrero and Mariano Rivera. More than 1.6 million voting were cast online and at selected car dealerships.

"What a tremendous honor," A-Rod said. "It's definitely a treat and an honor and flattering to be on the same team with Roberto Clemente and Juan Marichal and Edgar Martinez."

Edgar Martinez, who played with Rodriguez in Seattle, was a designated hitter for so long that he laughed, "I forgot that I was a third baseman." He said he was honored to be chosen, especially because of the chance to spend the afternoon with the other players.

"It's something I'm proud of just because of the group," he said. "There are some great players."

Nearly half of the 60 players on the ballot played in the majors this season, another indication of how strong an influence Latin players currently have. Better yet: Freddy Garcia was the starting pitcher Wednesday night for the Chicago White Sox and their manager is Ozzie Guillen. Both are from Venezuela.

Marichal also found irony in this celebration coming in Houston.

He recalled being on a road trip here about 40 years ago when teammate Orlando Cepeda wanted to go see the movie "Cleopatra." Marichal warned him not to bother because a Latino might not be allowed into the theater. Cepeda tried anyway, only to return an hour later crying.

"About 45 minutes later, he came and knocked on my door," Marichal said. "He had two tears from his eyes. He got mad at me because I laughed. I said, 'I told you not to go."'